The Rack

US Army Captain Edward Hall, Jr. - Ed - has just been shipped back home to San Francisco along with many other officers and servicemen who had been POWs in Korea, most facing physical and/or psychological issues a result of their prison camp experiences, Ed's total time a prisoner being two years. The son of Colonel Edward Hall, Sr., Ed is outwardly experiencing a better fate than his younger brother Pete, killed in battle, he leaving behind a wife, Aggie, who, despite loving her brother-in-law, is having a difficult time seeing Ed back without Pete. Ed has an exemplary service record over the course of two wars, including promotion to his current rank, being awarded a silver star cluster, and receiving a letter of commendation from his superior officer, all of which the Colonel could not be more proud. Ed is however not surprised when he discovers shortly after his discharge from the army base hospital that he is being court-martialed, the charge being collaboration with the enemy, specifically for actions when he was a POW. The Colonel eventually learning of this specific charge changes his view of his son. Despite his appointed lawyer, Lt. Col. Frank Wasnick, pleading not guilty on his behalf, Ed admits behind closed doors that he is guilty of the charge. The questions become whether Ed, in his view of himself, has the will to fight, and whether his disclosure of events can convince the court and arguably more importantly the Colonel that his actions were justified under the circumstances.